On the evening of July 8, 2025, London’s Grosvenor House on Park Lane transformed into a glittering stage for cricket’s finest to unite for a noble cause. Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh hosted his annual YouWeCan (YWC) Gala Dinner, a fundraising event for his cancer charity, which raised over £1 million to support cancer treatment and awareness initiatives in India.
The star-studded night, held ahead of the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s, was a blend of nostalgia, laughter, and heartfelt moments, with cricketing legends and the current Indian squad coming together to celebrate Yuvraj’s legacy and mission.
Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Shastri, Darren Gough, and Ashish Nehra were in attendance, alongside the entire Indian squad, including coach Gautam Gambhir and support staff.
The event also saw non-cricketing celebrities, including cricket presenters Gaurav Kapoor and Jatin Sapru, singer Kanika Kapoor, actress Hazel Keech (Yuvraj’s wife), and Welsh actress Banita Sandhu.
The evening was filled with emotional tributes to Yuvraj, whose courage as a cancer survivor and 2011 World Cup hero continues to inspire. Sachin Tendulkar struck a poignant chord, recalling a dinner with Yuvraj before the 2011 World Cup’s first game against Bangladesh.
“Yuvraj didn’t seem himself—low energy. That night, he told me, ‘I’ll win the World Cup for you.’ And he did,” Sachin shared, earning reverent applause. He later posted on X, “Standing with @YUVSTRONG12 last night in support of @YOUWECAN’s incredible work felt deeply meaningful. You have turned your personal battle into a mission to help others win theirs. Always with you, my friend.”
Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, opened up about his bond with Yuvraj. “I met him during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, he, Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan Singh), and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. They helped me grow, made me comfortable in the dressing room, and showed me the lifestyle of getting to the top,” Kohli said.
He also reflected on Yuvraj’s comeback after cancer, recalling a 150-run knock in Cuttack under his captaincy: “It felt like watching our childhood heroes again.” Kohli’s witty remark about his Test retirement stole the show: “I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you’re colouring your beard every four days.”
